News:

Reading the forum on your cell phone? There's an easier way. We've enabled a Tapatalk app that makes browsing the forum a whole lot easier. Check it out in the iPhone or Android store if you don't own it already.

Fact: Over a short distance of 10 feet, spherical balls of different size, mass, and density will hit the ground at the same time.If one were to drop a pigeon's feather and a 14lb bowling ball off the Brooklyn Bridge, the bowling ball will hit the water first.

And I believe (going by the equation from the NASA site), a 14lb bowling ball will have a higher terminal velocity than a 1 oz ping-pong ball when dropped from the tallest building in the world. This is because the equation for terminal velocity V = sqrt (2*mass*G/(Cd*rho*area)) means that V is proportional to sqrt(density*radius of ball) since mass is proportional to density * radius ^3 and area is proportional to radius^2 and Cd for both balls are about the same.Hence the bowling ball should hit the ground before the ping pong ball, assuming at least the ping pong ball has reached terminal velocity.

Though I have not practice mechanical engineering the past 15 years, having a Master degree in ME specializing in Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics does come in handy at times when I have the discipline NOT to shoot from the hip and say stupid things like a human reaching terminal velocity after 230 feet. NOT.

Flame on.

« Last Edit: May 25, 2013, 09:53:52 PM by sneoh »

Logged

"You have to decide to do a flag, where you can broke your vertebrae or a barn door depending of your pro" - the poster formerly known as Champ

I'm just a hole digger and occasional professional wheelbarrow driver. My physics understanding and comprehension is limited by what I remember from high school, and with a hot teacher like Ms. Jordan at the front of the class it's amazing that I remember anything that she was actually trying to teach.... No flames from me.

I'm just a hole digger and occasional professional wheelbarrow driver. My physics understanding and comprehension is limited by what I remember from high school, and with a hot teacher like Ms. Jordan at the front of the class it's amazing that I remember anything that she was actually trying to teach.... No flames from me.

Ha! I was an ME major until I took fluid dynamics. Although I did quite well for me in that class (a B+), I switched my major after that term to electrical engineering (BSEE). Never looked back! Left the world of pumps, valves & fittings to understand other things like transistors, power semi-conductors, and industrial control (which is what I do these days).Funny thing is- you can't divorce yourself from either discipline in the real world. Although I have a pretty good understanding of electricity, I regularly deal with many "mechanical" issues. Like pumps, valves, and fittings. Go figure?

Yeah, Ken. Funny twist of fate; I've worked for a great company the last 15 years, really enjoy what I do most of the time, and appreciate the attitude, intelligence, and dedication of the people I work with and for.

It would be my pleasure if our paths were to cross, Ken. And as I said in another post, if I get my good form and shape back, I would love to give The Promised Land a try (having done Vultures, Romper Room, and Bette Noir there, and failing miserably on Eyeless). Feel free to spray me down with route Beta; I've been a sport weenie for many years now and have no pride

Logged

"You have to decide to do a flag, where you can broke your vertebrae or a barn door depending of your pro" - the poster formerly known as Champ

I seconded the Promised Land with Andy Ross on the first ascent. We gave it easy 5.12. The only time I climbed the route was that day.I'm told a hold broke after we climbed it and upped the ante to hard 5.12.Lots of brain cells have sizzled since that day- can't say I could give you any beta.Regardless, we can still swill beers anytime.